Their tents were side by side, almost connected. That was their tradition and one they were wont to break, despite the protests of the prince’s entourage. He will betray you, they whispered. He is a commoner, they said. He has no virtue, no honor. Those that whispered ill against him quickly found themselves removed from the prince’s presence. The others… well, they understood.

William was Edward’s knight, not in title but in heart, and he would serve Edward as well he could until the day he died.

That did not, of course, mean that he didn’t question his lord’s logic at times.

“They’re going to find out,” he whispered cautiously. The tent flap was not as secure as he’d like. The prince had ordered solitude but that didn’t mean someone couldn’t still barge in.

“They won’t,” Edward assured him, his hands resting on either side of William’s head. He pulled Will towards him, kissed him lightly on the lips.

Will’s heart warred between guilt and temptation, caution and recklessness.